Recommened a bass strap!

[immy]

Hey guys I need a new strap as my old guitar one is giving me back pains and I have been told the strap may be the problem.

Basically I am looking for a strap that will take the weight off my shoulders so to speak

Also if at all possible could you guys recommend relatively affordable options as I am only 18. Thanks!

[JimmyM]

there are two straps that have worked really well for me:

levy's mss24...4 1/2" leather strap, $50.

planet waves bass strap: 3" seatbelt material with a pad inserted in it...$20 or $25. the one problem with it is the pad will slip out of place, but a little loop of black thread sewn into it just above the pad took care of that problem.

some like the comfort strapp, but i hated it because the padding has thin seatbelt strap material holding it together and that would dig through the pad and into my shoulder. some do well with it, though.

honestly, though, even the best strap with the most padding won't make a heavy bass light. i had a jazz bass that i loved but i had to sell it because even with the wide strap it hurt my shoulder.

[Big chicken]

stagg makes a pretty decent strap for about $35

[loopee]

Neoprene straps - I have 3 Neotechs - really love them and I've had them over 12 years and I just got the new Mono strap, expensive but pretty nice (even has a pick pocket in it).....

[motionkid]

Anything BUT leather works for me with pain...

[blahblahblake]

I asked a similar question about a couple of weeks ago and the responses I got were split between Comfort Strapps and the wider Italia leather straps. I'm not a bit leather fan so I'm either going to pick up one from Comfort Strapps or the Betty strap from Mono. Good luck finding something you like. Once you make the decision, come back and let us know how things turned out.

[dcr]

I really like the Italia 4" straps. Great straps, well built, and much less than the comparable Moody.

Sadowsky straps are nice for neoprene.

The Mono straps are pretty good, too.

If I carry a separate strap for each bass I take to the gig, I take the italias. If I only take one strap for both basses, the Mono gets the nod, because it more easily adjusted than the Italia.




dcr

[cnltb]

I've had the same levy leather strap for the last 15 years.
It doesn't look like it will need to be replaced any time soon either. Highly recommended .

[CultofJay]

A little off topic, but has anyone made a decent strap before? If you have how'd you do it and what did you use?

[xed]

I have an italia 4" that I picked up off ebay from them a few years ago. At that time they would put a few up and it you were lucky you could score one for $20-$30 but now I think they do 1 at a time so not much chance of that. This one is set up for schaller strap locks.

I also treated myself to a 4" Moody. This one is set up for the warwick recessed strap locks.

I like both straps but the real selling point for me is having 4" wide leather. My basses stay in position, no chance of them sliding unless I move them. Over the years I have spent money on cheaper straps but I never found any that met my needs.

[countrybass007]

Levi's padded leather strap as a contoured pad that is shaped to fit your shoulder and neck. The pad velcros into place once you adjust it, so it doesn't slide out of place. I was having trouble lasting all night with my Jazz bass due to weight, and this strap has made it easy.

[robertor]

I use a Minotaur and it is very confortable (and affordable !)

[Floyd Eye]

Comfort Strapps are awesome. Expensive, but awesome.

[1kinal]

The comfort strap my favorite. I really like that you can adjust the lenght easily. If I'm at home practicing or in the studio seated I make it short so it won't fall from my shoulder and when I'm playing live I make it long. The only negative point I could see would be the slight elastic effect because the strap material is extensible. Some don't like it but I got used to it easily.

I also have a large Italia which I scored direct from them on ebay. The quality is great but it was in fact too large over my shoulder so it wasn't comfortable. I had a local shop cut it to 3.25" for half the lenght of the strap. It's now more comfortable.

I'd really like to try the Mono strap though...it's beautiful and the design seems interesting.

[RCCollins]

suede can help keep a strap in place over your shoulder without slipping - there are lots of options but i find Levy's has some great, wide straps at a good price point.

[ShirazBop]

Originally Posted by loopee

Neoprene straps

Comfort Strapp... short one is that I use....love it, especially with my heaviest late 70's Fender...

Also Sadowsky and Fender make excellent Neoprene straps....

[jmain]

I still have my wide leather Levy's. Tried the Comfort Strapp but it just didn't sit right for me personally.

Got a Neotech Mega Bass Strap last year and been really digging it. Feels great on the shoulder, not too much give and well made. Price is about the same as most other "regular" straps. I highly recommend it.

[txbasschik]

I have one from Clayton. Its 3" wide, and I love it because it distributes the weight of my bass just right. The narrower straps cause me to have neck pain. This one is perfect! Plain-jane black leather, no padding...just nice and wide. I rubbed cocoa butter into it to soften it, and that's all I ever needed to do to it. I've had it for five years, and when it finally wears out, I'll replace it with the very same kind.

Cherie

[deekay911]

Not the cheapest, but I use a Moody leather/suede 4" strap, it's the most comfortable strap I have ever used.

[Hutzbordello]

jodi head